This is the video shot of US military personnel firing upon and killing over a dozen people, including two Reuters journalists. Reuters has tried to obtain the video from the Pentagon several times without success. Thanks to anonymous whistleblowers, Wikileaks now has the video.
The following is from Wikileaks’ site, Collateral Murder.
5th April 2010 10:44 EST WikiLeaks has released a classified US military video depicting the indiscriminate slaying of over a dozen people in the Iraqi suburb of New Baghdad — including two Reuters news staff.
Reuters has been trying to obtain the video through the Freedom of Information Act, without success since the time of the attack. The video, shot from an Apache helicopter gun-site, clearly shows the unprovoked slaying of a wounded Reuters employee and his rescuers. Two young children involved in the rescue were also seriously wounded.
The military did not reveal how the Reuters staff were killed, and stated that they did not know how the children were injured.
After demands by Reuters, the incident was investigated and the U.S. military concluded that the actions of the soldiers were in accordance with the law of armed conflict and its own “Rules of Engagement”.
Consequently, WikiLeaks has released the classified Rules of Engagement for 2006, 2007 and 2008, revealing these rules before, during, and after the killings.
WikiLeaks has released both the original 38 minutes video and a shorter version with an initial analysis. Subtitles have been added to both versions from the radio transmissions.
WikiLeaks obtained this video as well as supporting documents from a number of military whistleblowers. WikiLeaks goes to great lengths to verify the authenticity of the information it receives. We have analyzed the information about this incident from a variety of source material. We have spoken to witnesses and journalists directly involved in the incident.
WikiLeaks wants to ensure that all the leaked information it receives gets the attention it deserves. In this particular case, some of the people killed were journalists that were simply doing their jobs: putting their lives at risk in order to report on war. Iraq is a very dangerous place for journalists: from 2003- 2009, 139 journalists were killed while doing their work.
You can watch the above video on YouTube or the uncut longer 39:14 version.
You can get the video via a torrent.
You can read here how WikiLeaks cracked the video encryption.
Here is Reuters’ response.
WikiLeaks also has a resources page where you can find many resources about this incident.
Remember folks, no one in the video appeared to be an immediate threat to anyone. The RPG the military saw was a camera. The guy trying to crawl away was a reporter. The guy driving the van was a good samaritan who rented his van out as a means of making a living. The guys in the van were Reuters employees.
Also remember, the military was under fire a few blocks away. This is a vital clue to the mindset of the men in the chopper. There was no military nearby. One would have to question what the man with the RPG/telephoto lens was pointing at. I concluded it was a camera because I’m around them all the time and the behavior of the men appeared to me to be that of someone who takes lots of pictures, not someone preparing to blow up some American soldiers. I did see something that looked like an RPG (or a folded up tripod or an umbrella or AK-47) at the beginning of the video (around 3:39).
If you track the guy with the RPG (the one that stopped/slowed down at the corner), he was moving too slowly to be the one at the corner with a telephoto lens.
Regardless of whether this incident was an accident, human error or a huge screw up, the most appalling part of the video is the bloodlust the soldiers have. Their anticipation and hope that the reporter crawling away would pick up a weapon so they could shoot him is absolutely disgusting.”All you gotta do is pick up a weapon.” When the van pulled up, they couldn’t wait to get approval to shoot it up. Killing people should never be celebrated. War is hell folks and there’s a lot of crazy people on our side.
Also questionable is the response from the military. They did an investigation and concluded no wrongdoing on the part of the soldier. Then, they covered it up. Then they got mad because whistleblowers gave WikiLeaks the video. The responsible thing to do would have been to explain to the public what had happened. Let us decide. I’m sure there wouldn’t be the hate and vitriol spewing forth that there is today.
My suggestion is to watch the short and uncut versions. Read what you can about the incident and make your own decision. No one is going to agree completely, but at least you can have an informed opinion.
40 Responses to “Collateral Murder, the WikiLeaks video”
378770 837562I like this weblog so significantly, saved to my bookmarks . 117847
I simply want to mention I am very new to blogging and definitely loved your web site. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your website . You amazingly have outstanding articles and reviews. Bless you for sharing with us your webpage.
this site is cool!! http://tokumei10.blogspot.jp/ thx read
good blog! this site is cool!! http://tokumei10.blogspot.jp/ thx read
Hello there! I just wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got right here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon.
Just Browsing
While I was surfing yesterday I saw a great post concerning
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It’s very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
You are so cool! I do not suppose I have read through a single thing like this before. So wonderful to find somebody with some unique thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
I would like to start a jobs website using Joomla or WordPress. Is this possible?
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Technical writing - I want to write technical articles but what are copyright laws?
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
this site is coooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://tokumei10.blogspot.jp/ thx read
this site is coooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://tokumei10.blogspot.jp/ thx read
Tumblr article
I saw a writer talking about this on Tumblr and it linked to
Digg
While checking out DIGG today I noticed this
Quick money advance can be a short-term money
advance, that’s used mainly for short-term emergency purpose
also to fulfill immediate needs my website the service of these loans is quick because the lender will not have any concern with the loan from the candidates.
I was looking through some of your articles on this website and I conceive this site is very informative ! Keep on putting up.
You could absolutely visit competencies within the operate you are submitting. The planet desires far more zealous freelance writers such as you whom are not fearful post the way they feel. On a regular basis follow the coronary heart.
I
Tea tree oil truly helps me with breakouts following I wax. Just apply on skin correct immediately after you wax. Also, avoid hot water for the region for 24 hours.
I experimented with this and it didn’t get the job done, I had it cooled to room temp and every little thing. It harm like heck but did not consider any hair.
Also, to be on the secure aspect, when responding to questions, think carefully about what is becoming stated. The colour of the candle is not extremely essential, but violet or blue candles improve your psychic abilities.
Good post. I comprehend some thing additional challenging on different blogs everyday. It’s going to usually be stimulating to read content material from other writers and practice somewhat something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my weblog whether or not you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link on your internet weblog. Thanks for sharing.
how to make beat
[…]below you will uncover the link to some web pages that we assume it is best to visit[…]
Hello, This is a really nice looking site. Are you a website designer or did someone make this lovely design for you?
They can make going more fun and maintain you from getting too wrapped up in it as a way of life. Likewise, the symbols are also linked to Alchemy, Kabbalah, and to some Magic formula Societies.
It’s a embarrass you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog! I deduction in support of now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I glance forward to brand original updates and will disclose this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
Aw, this was a really nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
Looking around
I like to browse around the internet, often I will just go to Digg and read and check stuff out
Wikia
Wika linked to this site
Its hard to find good help
I am constantnly proclaiming that its difficult to find quality help, but here is
Yahoo results
While browsing Yahoo I found this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit
Yahoo results
While searching Yahoo I discovered this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit
Wikia
Wika linked to this website
Informative and precise
Its difficult to find informative and precise info but here I found
Digg
While checking out DIGG today I noticed this
Its hard to find good help
I am constantnly proclaiming that its hard to procure good help, but here is
Dreary Day
It was a dreary day here yesterday, so I just took to piddeling around online and found
Informative and precise
Its hard to find informative and precise info but here I found